Junior Performing Arts

Dates for the Diary

On Thursday, 11 June, the Junior School will be hosting the annual Performing Arts Concert in the DPA beginning at 5:30pm. All students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will be performing and are expected to attend. This is a whole-school event and a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to enjoy a variety of entertainment. 

All students are to arrive NO EARLIER than 5:15pm (unless advised) at the DPA in full school uniform with blazer (for Years 3-6), neat and tidy hair and polished shoes. The concert will conclude around 7:00pm. 

We look forward to seeing you for a fabulous evening of music, dance and drama.

Kind regards,

Mrs Katie Sinclair 

Coordinator of JS Performing Arts 

Dance Costume Requirements

We are excited for our upcoming dance performances! The students have been working hard in rehearsals and are looking forward to performing at the Junior School Performing Arts Concert on Thursday, 11 June. Please see the costume requirements for each dance group below. More information about the concert will be provided closer to the date.

Jitterbugs (Girls)

All costume requirements have been organised by the school. 

Jitterbugs (Boys) 

Please purchase a pair of plain black shorts for the dance. Please deliver these to Mrs Chapman in a clearly marked bag by the end of Week 6.

e.g. $8.00 at Best and Less

Upbeats (Girls) Cheerleaders

All costume requirements have been organised by the school. However, could girls please purchase a pair of plain white shoes for the dance. See below. Please deliver these to Mrs Chapman in a clearly marked bag by the end of week 6. 

$10 at Kmart (or similar)

Upbeats (Boys) and Girl basketballers 

All costume requirements have been organised by the school. However, basketballers will need to bring their normal sneakers for the performance. 

Fusion Beat (girls)

All costume requirements have been organised by the school. However, to ensure a polished and professional look on stage for our older dancers, we kindly ask that Fusion dancers purchase a pair of beige jazz shoes and tan jazz tights for their performances. These will be used several times this year. Please have these by Week 7 ready for our full-dress rehearsal. 

e.g. $17.95 from Kingfisher Clothing in Orange 

e.g. $17.95 on Temu or other various websites 

or can be purchased from Kingfisher Clothing in Orange. 

We appreciate your continued support in helping make these performances a success. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Kind regards, 

Mrs Libby Chapman 

Dance Teacher 

lchapman@kws.nsw.edu.au

From Practice to Progress: Supporting Your Young Musicians

Source: https://perthmusiclessons.com.au/avoid-music-practice-mistakes-help-your-child-succeed

As parents, watching your child begin their musical journey is both exciting and sometimes uncertain. Whether they’re learning piano, drums, voice, or another instrument, your support plays a vital role in their success. 

Your Role: Encourager First, Coach Second

Think of yourself as your child’s musical cheerleader. Your role isn’t to teach technique—that’s what their music teacher is there for—but rather to provide encouragement, structure, and a positive environment for growth. When children feel supported rather than pressured, they’re much more likely to stay motivated and enjoy learning.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Every child learns differently, and musical progress takes time. Rather than expecting quick results, focus on small wins and steady improvement. Celebrating progress—no matter how small—builds confidence and keeps enthusiasm high.

It’s also important to avoid comparisons. Each child brings unique strengths to their learning, and those differences should be embraced.

Build a Consistent Practice Routine

Consistency is one of the most powerful tools in music education. Short, regular practice sessions (even 10–15 minutes a day) are far more effective than long, irregular sessions.

Try to:

• Schedule practice at the same time each day
• Make it part of an existing routine (e.g., after homework)
• Keep the environment calm and distraction-free

Over time, practice becomes a natural habit rather than a daily debate.

Encourage Independence

It’s natural to want to help your child during practice, but stepping back can be more beneficial. Allowing children to work through challenges independently helps build resilience, problem-solving skills, and confidence.

Instead of correcting every mistake:

• Offer encouragement and praise effort
• Let them experiment and explore
• Encourage them to note questions for their teacher (use the KWS music diaries for this) 

Partner with Your Child’s Music Teacher

Your child’s teacher is a valuable partner in their musical development. Maintaining open communication ensures everyone is working toward the same goals.

Regularly read the music diaries. You might also:

• Check in briefly about progress or challenges
• Ask how to best support practice at home
• Stay informed about lesson focus areas

Strong collaboration helps your child feel supported both in lessons and at home.

Work towards a performance

Providing opportunities for young musicians to perform in front of others is a powerful part of their musical growth. Performance builds confidence, helping students overcome nerves and develop resilience as they learn to manage mistakes and keep going. It also gives purpose to their practice—turning skills into meaningful experiences rather than isolated exercises. Sharing music with an audience fosters a sense of achievement and pride, while also strengthening communication and expressive skills. Speak with your child’s tutor about the possibility of working towards performing in assembly or even performing for family members. 

Creating a Positive Musical Experience

At its heart, music education should be joyful, inspiring, and rewarding. By focusing on encouragement, consistency, and collaboration, you can help your child build not only musical skills, but also confidence and a lifelong love of learning.

Small steps, steady support, and a positive mindset make all the difference.